Hamas and Other Palestinian Terrorist Groups International Financing Prevention Act
This bill imposes sanctions targeting Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, the Lion's Den, and any affiliate or successor groups.
The President must impose property-blocking sanctions on foreign persons that knowingly (1) provide certain types of support (such as significant financial or technological support) for acts of terrorism, or (2) engage in a significant transaction with a senior member of the targeted groups or with a senior member of a foreign terrorist organization providing support to the targeted groups.
The President must also impose measures on foreign states that (1) provide significant material and financial support for acts of international terrorism, (2) provide significant material support to the targeted groups, or (3) engage in significant transactions that materially contribute to the terrorist activities of the targeted groups. The President must bar these governments for one year from receiving U.S. assistance and exports of controlled munitions and other items. The Department of the Treasury must instruct U.S. leadership of international financial institutions to oppose providing assistance to an identified government for one year.
The bill provides for certain exceptions and waivers, such as for transactions that would serve vital U.S. national interests.
The President must periodically report to Congress on specified topics related to the targeted groups, such as the groups' assets and activities and a list of foreign states that conduct significant fundraising, financing, or money laundering activities for the groups.
Hamas International Financing Prevention Act
This bill imposes sanctions targeting Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and any affiliate or successor groups.
The President must periodically report to Congress a list of each foreign person (individual or entity) that knowingly provides significant support or services to or is involved in a significant transaction with a senior member or supporter of the targeted groups.
The President must impose two or more sanctions on the named persons. Specifically, the person may be (1) denied credit and services from the Export-Import Bank, (2) barred from purchasing certain controlled defense articles, (3) denied exports of items on the U.S. Munitions List, (4) prevented from receiving exports of certain goods or technology controlled for national security reasons, (5) prohibited from receiving financing of more than $10 million from any U.S. financial institution, or (6) subject to property-blocking restrictions.
The President must periodically report to Congress a list of foreign governments that have repeatedly provided material support for the targeted groups' terrorist activities. The President shall bar these governments from receiving for one year (1) U.S. assistance, or (2) exports of controlled munitions. The Department of the Treasury must instruct U.S. leadership of international financial institutions to oppose providing assistance to an identified government for one year.
The bill provides for certain exceptions and waivers, such as for transactions that would serve U.S. national interests.
The President must report to Congress and periodically provide briefings on other specified topics related to the targeted groups, such as where these groups secure financing and surveillance equipment.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 237.
Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
McCaul moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
(consideration: CR H5189-5193)
Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
(consideration: CR H5220-5221)
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 363 - 46 (Roll no. 561). (text: CR H5189-5191)